Common puppy feeding queries

Most puppies are ready to move onto adult dog food between 9 and 12 months of age, though large and giant breeds can take up to 15–24 months to fully mature. The right time depends on your puppy's breed size, growth rate and body condition rather than a fixed age. When you do switch, transition gradually over 7–10 days by mixing increasing proportions of the new food with the old — this helps avoid tummy upsets. Have a chat to your veterinarian if you're unsure whether your puppy is ready to make the change.

Fussiness is usually learned, not innate. The most effective fix is a consistent routine: offer meals at set times, leave the food down for 15–20 minutes, then remove it until the next meal — even if it hasn't been finished. Avoid topping up with treats, table scraps or extra flavourings, as these reinforce picky eating. Keep mealtimes calm and distraction-free, and make sure everyone in the household follows the same approach. If your puppy's appetite drops off suddenly or is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy, consult your veterinarian to rule out an underlying issue.

While raw feeding has passionate advocates, formulating a raw diet that is complete and balanced for a growing puppy is genuinely difficult. Puppies have very specific nutritional needs during growth, and imbalances in calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients can have lasting effects on bone and joint development. There's also a food-safety consideration, as raw meat can carry bacteria that pose risks to both pets and people in the household. A high-quality, scientifically formulated super premium food such as ADVANCE™ Puppy Food delivers complete and balanced nutrition with confidence. Always speak to your veterinarian before making major changes to your puppy's diet.

Some human foods are fine as an occasional treat in small amounts — for example, plain cooked chicken, carrot sticks, green beans or small pieces of apple (seeds removed). However, a number of common foods are toxic to dogs and should never be offered: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, macadamia nuts, avocado, and anything containing xylitol (a sweetener found in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters). 

The safest approach is to feed a complete and balanced puppy food as the main diet and use purpose-made puppy treats for rewards. If you suspect your puppy has eaten something harmful, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Transition gradually over 7–10 days by mixing increasing proportions of the new food with the old. Start with roughly 25% new food and 75% old food for the first few days, move to a 50/50 mix, then 75% new and 25% old, before finally switching to 100% of the new food. This gives your puppy's gut microbiome time to adjust and helps prevent diarrhoea, gas and stomach discomfort. Sudden changes are the most common cause of tummy upsets, so slow and steady is the way to go. If you notice persistent vomiting or diarrhoea during the transition, pause and check in with your veterinarian.